NY Gov. Paterson declares state of emergency over swine flu

View full sizeCenters for Disease Control and PreventionAn image of the H1N1 influenza virus taken by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

ALBANY, N.Y. — New York Gov. David Paterson has declared a state of emergency because of the rise in swine flu cases.

The executive order means that far more health care professionals — including dentists — will be permitted to administer vaccines with only brief training. The order is needed to suspend provisions of state law.

State officials say the number of vaccine doses is also being increased. The federal government is ramping up availability of the vaccine, allowing the state to order twice as many doses as a week ago, a trend that’s expected to continue.

The executive order obtained by The Associated Press says at least 75 deaths in the state have been attributed to the swine flu.